Container and pallet for receiving blades of a fluid machine

ABSTRACT

A container and a pallet are described for sorting, storing, and/or transporting objects ( 2 ) having differing external dimensions and spatial edge contours ( 4 ), the container having at least one depression ( 5 ) shaped like a stepped pyramid having bearing surfaces ( 6 ). The bearing surfaces ( 6 ) at each pyramid step ( 7 ) are tailored to the edge contours ( 4 ) of the objects ( 3 ). In this case, a lower pyramid step ( 7 ) has bearing surfaces ( 6 ) with smaller dimensions than a pyramid step ( 8 ) positioned above it in the depression ( 5 ) in order to sort and position the objects ( 3 ) in the depression ( 5 ) stacked by height in accordance with their external dimensions.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/400,555 filed Mar. 27, 2003, which in turn claims priority to GermanPatent Application No. 102 14 161.4 filed Mar. 28, 2002, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The present invention relates to a container and a pallet for receivingblades of a fluid machine according to the definition of the species inthe independent claims.

A pallet for storing and transporting solid cargo is known from GermanUtility Model 295 00 107.0 U1. This pallet is used for transportingmachine parts, rectangular pallet frames being formed by a pair oflengthwise beams and a pair of transverse beams. The lengthwise and/ortransverse beams in turn have profile rails which extend parallel to thebeam lengthwise direction. These profile rails have slots in at leastsome sections to receive fasteners for attaching the cargo. These slotsextend in the lengthwise direction of the profile rails.

A pallet of this type made of lengthwise and transverse beams havingcorresponding fasteners has the disadvantage that it is not able toreceive the machine parts in a form-fitting way and it has a high numberof individual parts, such as lengthwise beams, transverse beams, profilerails, and fasteners

German Utility Model 92 04 751 U1 describes a pallet for storing andtransport of solid goods, specifically motor vehicle lights. This palletconcerns an injection molded part made of plastic. Many of these palletsmay be stacked together one above another, and placed in a transportcontainer. The distance of equivalent interacting pieces of two directlyover-another stacked pallets is smaller than the length of a light. Eachpallet has a plurality of receptacles in a horizontal level in rows andcolumns for the motor vehicle lights. Such a pallet, which in itscontour and dimensions of the support surfaces exactly matches the formand size of the motor vehicle lights, has the disadvantage that itcannot accept parts of variable size in a form fitting manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a container and apallet for receiving blades of a fluid machine, which are producibleusing simple means and which allow placement sorted according to sizeand secure storage and transport.

The present invention provides a container for receiving blades (9) of afluid machine having differing external dimensions and edge contours(4), the container (1) having at least one depression (5) shaped like astepped pyramid having bearing surfaces (6) and a lower pyramid step (7)having bearing surfaces (6) with smaller dimensions than a pyramid step(8) positioned above it in the depression (5) shaped like a steppedpyramid in order to receive the objects (3) in the depression (5)stacked by height in accordance with their external dimensions.

The present invention also provides a pallet for receiving blades of afluid machine (3) having differing external dimensions and edge contours(4), the pallet (2) having depressions (5) shaped like stepped pyramids,which are positioned in rows (22) and columns (23), having bearingsurfaces and a lower pyramid step (7) having bearing surfaces (6) withsmaller dimensions than a pyramid step (8) positioned above it in eachdepression (5) shaped like a stepped pyramid in order to receive theblades in the depressions (5) stacked by height in accordance with theirexternal dimensions.

According to the present invention, a container is specified forsorting, storing, and/or transporting objects having differing externaldimensions and spatial edge contours, the container having at least onedepression shaped like a stepped pyramid having bearing surfaces. Thebearing surfaces of each pyramid step are preferably tailored to thespatial edge contours of the objects. In this case, a lower pyramid stephas bearing surfaces with smaller dimensions than a pyramid steppositioned above it in the depression shaped like a stepped pyramid inorder to sort and position the objects in the depression stacked byheight in accordance with their external dimensions.

Using a container of this type, the smallest objects are advantageouslypositioned on the lowermost pyramid step of the depression and objectswhich become larger with each further pyramid step may be positionedabove them. A container having a depression of this type may thereforereceive multiple objects of differing sizes having differing spatialedge contours and store them precisely and protect them from damage. Inthis case, the largest object of an assortment is positioned uppermostand will cover the bearing surfaces of the first pyramid step, which aretailored to the spatial edge contours, while the smallest object of anassortment is positioned on the lowermost pyramid step. Therefore, theindividual objects of an assortment are positioned stacked by height inthe depression and oversizes may be sorted out.

A container having a depth of this type may store the objects in aspace-saving way and may simultaneously be used for safe transport ofthe objects. In addition, the objects are protected on all sides againstmechanical or corrosive damage by the depressions shaped like steppedpyramids.

In a refinement of the present invention, the depression is able to besealed by a precisely fitted cover, in order to thus protect the storedobjects from contamination. With a cover which seals gas-tight, thedepression may also be filled with an inert gas or placed under vacuum,which provides a further significant improvement of the storability ofthe objects positioned in the depression.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the bearing surfaces of thecontainer are tailored to contours of blades, having differing externaldimensions and spatial edge contours, of an axial-flow fluid machine.Blades of this type have a complex spatial blade surface on the activeblade region side, whose edges are susceptible to shocks and aretherefore protected especially comprehensively in the depressions of thecontainer according to the present invention.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the bearing surfacesof the depression shaped like a stepped pyramid are designed so thatthey support blades of differing sizes of an axial-flow fluid machine insuch a way that a blade front edge is positioned lower than anassociated blade rear edge. The front edge of a blade is made round andis accordingly heavier than the pointed rear edge of a blade. Therefore,this embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that theblade is tailored better to the prepared bearing surfaces, since theheavier blade front edge falls into the lower-lying bearing surfacesprovided for the blade front edge and remains there in this position dueto the heaviness of the front edge. If an opposite arrangement wasprovided, i.e., the rear edge was stored lower than the front edge, theentire active blade region weight would rest on the delicate pointedrear edge and increase the danger of damage to the delicate blade rearedge. In addition, the blade rear edge could work into the walls of thedepression shaped like a stepped pyramid and thus endanger reuse of thecontainer.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the bearing surfacesof the depression shaped like a stepped pyramid are designed so thatthey support blades of differing sizes of an axial-flow fluid machine insuch a way that the Christmas tree profile of their blade root issupportable by horizontally positioned bearing surfaces of the pyramidstep. This embodiment of the present invention has the advantage thatthe blade roots, which are heavy in relation to the active blade region,are received not by a slanted bearing surface, but by a horizontallypositioned bearing surface, which ensures that slipping of the bladeroots only occurs in the event of extreme movement of the container, ifthe horizontal bearing surfaces for the blade roots are tilted.

In addition, the bearing surfaces of the depression shaped like astepped pyramid are designed so that they support blades of differingsizes of an axial-flow fluid machine in such a way that their blade rearedges are supportable freely suspended. In this embodiment of thepresent invention, the bearing surface is set back in the region of therear edge in such a way that the blade rear edge itself is supportedfreely suspended, while the bearing surface is tailored to the spatialprofile of the blade in the region of the blade rear edge. This freesuspension of the blade rear edge is also reinforced in that the bladefront edge is positioned on a bearing surface which is positioned lowerthan the position of the blade rear edge.

For a further embodiment of the present invention, the container is aone-piece deep-drawn part. A one-piece deep-drawn part of this type hasthe advantage that the depression shaped like a stepped pyramid hasclosed inner walls and is only accessible from the side of the largestpyramid step, i.e., the first step. A one-piece deep-drawn part of thistype may be designed in such a way that a support frame havingcorresponding support feet or support walls is implementedsimultaneously during the deep drawing.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the container is aone-piece injection molded part. Closed-wall depressions, which areshaped like stepped pyramids, of a container for receiving objectshaving differing external dimensions and spatial contours may also bemanufactured using this technology. The advantage of an injection moldedpart is that any arbitrary plastic granulate may be processed, while adeep-drawn part requires a prefinished plastic slab as a startingmaterial.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the container has aplastic composition. A container of this type made of a plasticcomposition has the advantage that it has a lower weight thanembodiments in metal. In addition, a plastic composition has theadvantage that metallic objects which are stored in the container madeof plastic may not be abraded by movement on the bearing surfaces, whichoccurs with hard metal or ceramic containers.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the container has apolymer from the group polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene,polypropylene, polyimide, and mixtures thereof. These plastics have theadvantage that they are easily shapeable and are therefore usable bothin the deep-drawing technique and in the injection molding technique.Because it is provided that the container may be manufactured using adeep-drawing method, a granulate of the plastic materials above is notprovided as a starting material, but rather a plastic slab which may bedeep drawn.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the depression has awall between the pyramid steps, which is reverse-drawn into the insideof the container. This wall, which is reverse drawn toward the inside,may be manufactured from a plastic slab through deep drawing or may bemanufactured from plastic granulate in an injection mold. In this case,walls which connect the pyramid steps to one another also arisesimultaneously with the pyramid steps.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the container has anopening in the lower region of the depression. This opening is providedfor the exchange of air and moisture for containers which are stored ina standard atmosphere. In this way, condensed water may escape out ofthe opening and a continuous air exchange may occur via the opening.Furthermore, openings of this type are helpful if the container is to beused not only for sorting, storing and transporting, but also forcleaning procedures of the objects stored therein, since only then is aforced gas circulation or a forced liquid circulation of this typepossible for rinsing the objects.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the container hasvertical grooves from pyramid step to pyramid step, which are tailoredto contours of sealing plates between the blade root region and activeblade region of blades of an axial-flow turbine so they may slidetherein. Grooves of this type, which are tailored to the sealing platesof blades of an axial-flow fluid machine so they may slide therein, havethe advantage that the placement of the objects and the sorting of theobjects in the depressions is made significantly easier. In addition,the vertical grooves have the advantage that, via the sealing plates,they may hold both the blade root region and the active blade region ina secured position. Since the sealing plates between the blade rootregion and the active blade region have the largest cross-sectional areaof a blade of an axial-flow fluid machine, they simultaneously determinethe pyramid step heights of the depressions shaped like steppedpyramids.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, in addition to thereverse-drawn walls of the depression shaped like a stepped pyramid, thecontainer may have outer walls which enclose and support the depressionand form a trapezoidal support frame in cross-section, the base side ofthe trapezoidal frame forming the lower side of the container and thetop of the trapezoidal frame receiving the first pyramid step of thedepression shaped like a stepped pyramid. For this purpose, thetrapezoidal and slanted outer walls may form a closed frame, which has aprojection in the base region in order to increase the stability of thecontainer. Simultaneously, multiple containers may be stacked inside oneanother through this trapezoidal frame having a depression shaped like astepped pyramid drawn from the upper side, if there are no objects to bereceived. This possibility of stacking has the advantage of space-savingtemporary storage of containers before equipping the containers withobjects.

The cover for the container cited above, which may seal the depression,may additionally have a collar, so that containers which are alreadyequipped with objects may be stacked on one another and have the coverwith the support collar as a spacer.

A further aspect of the present invention is to specify a pallet forsorting, storing, and/or transporting objects having differing externaldimensions and spatial edge contours. In this case, the pallet hasdepressions shaped like stepped pyramids, which are positioned in rowsand columns, having bearing surfaces. The bearing surfaces of eachpyramid step are preferably tailored to the spatial edge contours of theobjects. In this case, a lower pyramid step has bearing surfaces withsmaller dimensions than a pyramid step positioned above it in eachdepression shaped like a stepped pyramid. The objects may therefore besorted and positioned in the depressions stacked by height in accordancewith their external dimensions. A pallet of this type has the advantagethat it has many times the storage capacity of the container citedabove. For a number of, for example, five pyramid steps per depressionand four depressions per row and four depressions per column, up to onehundred objects may be sorted, stored, and transported using the pallet.Furthermore, it is possible to stack pallets equipped with objects ontop of one another and thus house the blades needed for a multistagecompressor of an axial-flow fluid machine in one single pallet stack.

For this purpose, in one embodiment of the present invention, thebearing surfaces are tailored to the contours of blades, havingdiffering external dimensions and spatial edge contours, of anaxial-flow fluid machine. This embodiment of the present invention,having bearing surfaces tailored to the spatial edge contours of theblades, has the advantage that the blades are supported carefully andover a large area in their edge regions and are held in the depressionson the particular pyramid steps.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the bearing surfacesof the depressions shaped like stepped pyramids are designed so thatthey support blades of differing sizes of an axial-flow fluid machine insuch a way that a blade front edge is positioned lower than anassociated blade rear edge. This implementation of the bearing surfaceshas the advantage that blades may be stored securely and may besupported on the heavier blade front edge, while the sharp blade rearedge is not stressed.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the bearing surfacesof the depressions shaped like stepped pyramids are designed so thatthey support blades of differing sizes of an axial-flow fluid machine insuch a way that the Christmas tree profile of their blade roots issupportable by horizontally positioned bearing surfaces of the pyramidsteps. Using horizontal positioning of the blade roots of this type, itmay be ensured that the blade roots do not load the bearing surfaces onone side, but rather the blade roots, which are heavy in relation to theactive blade region, distribute their weight uniformly on thehorizontally positioned bearing surfaces.

In a further embodiment of the pallet according to the presentinvention, the bearing surfaces of the depressions shaped like steppedpyramids are designed so that they support blades of differing sizes ofan axial-flow fluid machine in such a way that their blade rear edgesare supportable freely suspended. This freely suspended support isachieved in that the bearing surfaces are slightly set back from therear edge, so that the blades are supported in their active blade regiononly in the rear edge region, but not directly on the rear edges. Thishas the advantage that the rear edges are protected from damage even inthe event of impacts on the pallet.

A further embodiment of the present invention provides that the entirepallet is implemented as a one-piece deep-drawn part. For this purpose,an appropriately large plastic slab, which is deep drawable, may beplaced in a mold and the depressions may be drawn into the recesses ofthe mold through heat and pressure.

In a further embodiment of the pallet according to the presentinvention, it is implemented as a one-piece injection molded part. Forthis purpose, an appropriate composition of plastic granulate may beprepared and premixed and distributed in an injection mold in such a waythat one or more pallets may be manufactured simultaneously with eachinjection molding procedure.

In both representative forms of the pallet, as a one-piece deep-drawnpart or as a one-piece injection molded part, the pallet has a plasticcomposition. This plastic composition has the advantage over metalmasses that it has a lower weight and that mutual abrasion processes donot arise between the metallic objects stored in the pallet and thepallet itself, as would otherwise occur in pallets made of metal studsor pallets made of ceramic studs.

In a further embodiment of the pallet according to the presentinvention, it has a polymer from the group polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyimide, and mixtures thereof.These plastics have proven themselves for cost-effective manufacture ofpallets of this type.

In a further embodiment of the pallet according to the presentinvention, the depressions have walls between the pyramid steps, whichare reverse-drawn into the inside of the pallet. In this way,depressions surrounded by closed walls arise on the pallet, into whichthe objects of differing external dimensions may be placed in a tailoredway. The advantage of these drawn walls between the pyramid steps isthat each object is completely protected from damage.

In a further embodiment of the pallet according to the presentinvention, the depressions each have an opening in their lowermostregion. This opening has the advantage that condensed water or, if thepallets are stored outside, rainwater may flow out via the opening, andit may thus be ensured that the depressions of the pallets may be keptdry. Furthermore, forced circulation of air or other media may occur viathis opening, in order to free the objects of contamination after thepallets are equipped, for example.

In a further embodiment of the pallet according to the presentinvention, it has vertical grooves from pyramid step to pyramid step onthe lateral walls of each depression. These grooves are tailored tocontours of sealing plates between the blade root region and activeblade region of blades of an axial-flow fluid machine so they may slidetherein. Since the sealing plates between the blade root region andactive blade region of blades of an axial-flow fluid machine have thelargest cross-sectional area, using vertical grooves in the pallet frompyramid step to pyramid step, which are tailored so the plates may slidetherein, both horizontal alignment of the blade roots and secure storageof the front edge of the blade on the corresponding bearing surfaces ofthe depressions shaped like stepped pyramids may be achieved.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the pallet has anouter edge made of outer walls which enclose and support the depressionsand form a trapezoidal support frame in cross-section. In this case, theouter walls of the outer edge simultaneously form the outercircumference of the pallet. Through the trapezoidal cross-section, itis ensured that multiple pallets are stackable inside one another, aslong as they are not equipped with objects in the depressions. Thepallets may therefore be stored in an extremely space-saving way.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the pallet has aremovable cover plate having a peripheral horizontal collar. A removablecover plate of this type has the advantage that the depressions, whichare positioned in rows and columns, may be covered using one singleplate and may therefore be protected from contamination.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral collarof the cover plate has a ring shoulder which is tailored to the outlineof the support frame for stacking pallets equipped with objects. Theoutline of the support frame of a further pallet may be centered andaligned on the cover plate due to this ring shoulder of the peripheralcollar of the cover plate, so that multiple pallets are stackable on oneanother.

The container and/or the pallet according to the present inventionallows multiple sets of blades of a fluid machine of a turbojet engine,for example, to be received. A multistage axial compressor or axialturbine of a fluid machine has differing blade sizes from stage tostage. It is therefore possible with the aid of the present invention tohouse the blades of one stage in the particular level of a containerand/or a pallet, which promises advantages in particular for automatedassembly procedures in regard to efficient and error-free equipping of arotor with blades, which ultimately leads to a simplified manufacturingprocess having elevated turnaround times.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will now be explained in more detail on the basisof exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawing.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a container of a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of a pallet of a second embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a section of a palletequipped with blades of the second embodiment of the present inventionalong section line A-A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a section of a palletequipped with blades of the second embodiment of the present inventionalong section line B-B of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a section of a palletequipped with blades of the second embodiment of the present inventionalong section line C-C of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a section of a palletequipped with blades of the second embodiment of the present inventionalong section line D-D of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross section views of several stacked palletsof FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a container 1 of afirst embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, blades ofan axial-flow fluid machine are sorted, positioned, and stored incontainer 1. For this purpose, container 1 has a depression 5 shapedlike a stepped pyramid. This depression shaped like a stepped pyramidhas walls 14, which connect pyramid steps 7, 8 to one another,reverse-drawn into the container. Each pyramid step 7, 8 has bearingsurfaces 6 which are tailored to the spatial contour of objects 3positioned in the depression.

The tailoring of the contour of bearing surfaces 6 in the region of theblade front edge of the blades of an axial-flow fluid machine is shownin the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. Blade rear edge 11 is freelysuspended, since bearing surface 6 has a recess 25 in the region ofblade rear edge 11, so that the pointed blade rear edge is supportedsuspended completely freely by bearing surface 6. Through thisarrangement, in which blade front edge 10 is supported in a form-fittingway on a lower-lying bearing surface and the blade rear edge lies higherthan the blade front edge, no load acts on the blade rear edge,especially if the blade front edge region is heavier than the blade rearedge region.

Due to the implementation of the depression in the shape of a steppedpyramid, object 3 having the largest dimensions may be positioned onbearing surfaces 6 of the first pyramid step, while objects havingdimensions which get smaller may be positioned on the bearing surfacesof the pyramid steps lying underneath it. Therefore, objects may behoused stacked by height in depressions in a container of this typeaccording to the present invention, spatially complex objects inparticular, such as blades of an axial-flow fluid machine, able to behoused protected in the depression of the container.

In this embodiment of the present invention, depression 5 is enclosed byouter walls 20, which form a trapezoidal support frame 21, in which thedepression shaped like a stepped pyramid is suspended. The base regionof this trapezoidal frame 21 is designed so that it may be engaged witha cover plate 26 using a collar 27, which is indicated by dot-dashlines. A cover plate 26 of this type, which is also shown by dot-dashlines in FIG. 1, protects the depression and objects 3 positionedtherein from contamination and simultaneously allows stacking ofmultiple containers 1 on top of one another. A ring shoulder 28 oncollar 27 ensures a secure seat of cover plate 26 on the top of thecontainer and simultaneously secures a container positioned on top fromdisplacement.

Cross-sectional active blade regions 19 of this schematic view in FIG. 1end at a sealing plate 17, whose external dimensions are partially shownby dashed lines. This sealing plate 17 is positioned between cross-cutactive blade regions 19 and the blade roots, which are positioned behindthe plane of the drawing, and has the largest cross-sectional area of ablade of an axial-flow fluid machine. At the lowermost point ofdepression 5, an opening 15 may be positioned in the form of a throughhole of a few millimeters. This opening 15 is used for the purpose ofallowing condensed water to run off. However, this opening may also beused in order to generate a forced circulation of inert gases or dry airor oily liquids in the depression, in order to remove or dissolvecontaminations from the objects stored there, for example. The materialfrom which a container for objects having differing dimensions, which isstackable in this way, may be manufactured may be a deep-drawn plasticslab or a plastic granulate molded using injection molding technology.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the container is manufactured frompolystyrene. However, other polymers from the group polyethylene,polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyimide, or mixtures thereof mayalso be used. In order to achieve higher rigidity of the plastic, theplastic may have fillers such as ceramic particles added to it or may bemixed with short fibers. Short fibers of this type may have glass fibersor ceramic fibers.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of a pallet 2 of the second embodimentof the present invention. The components having identical functions asin FIG. 1 are identified using identical reference numbers and are notexplained further.

Pallet 2 has depressions 5 shaped like stepped pyramids which arepositioned in rows 22 and columns 23. These depressions 5 shaped likestepped pyramids may sort and position objects having differingdimensions in each of their steps 7 and 8, in order to store them in thepallet and/or transport them using the pallet. For this purpose, each ofpyramid steps 7 and 8 in the depression shaped like a stepped pyramidhas bearing surfaces, which are tailored to the edge contours of theobjects, a lower pyramid step 7 having bearing surfaces 6 with smallerdimensions than a pyramid step 8 positioned above it, in order to sortand position the objects stacked by height in accordance with theirexternal dimensions in the depressions. Depressions 5 are drawn from atop 30 and form reverse-drawn walls between pyramid steps 7 and 8, sothat the objects which are positioned in the depressions of the palletare protected from damage. Top 30 simultaneously forms a stable frame ofthe entire pallet, and outer walls 20 connect top 30 to a pallet base29, which forms a peripheral collar of pallet 2. Due to outer walls 20of pallet 2, which spread downward, pallets not provided with objectsmay be stacked inside one another and thus may be stored in aspace-saving way.

The pallet shown in FIG. 2 is capable of receiving blades of anaxial-flow fluid machine. For this purpose, the bearing surfaces aretailored to the contours of the blades, so that individual pyramid steps7 and 8 do not run horizontally, but are tailored to the spatial edgecontour of each blade in a detailed way. Furthermore, pallet 2 shown inFIG. 2 has vertically aligned grooves 16 in each depression. Thesegrooves 16 are designed so that they may receive the sealing plates ofeach blade, which separate the active blade region from the blade rootregion. Simultaneously, these grooves 16 represent guide grooves, whichare decisive during sorting and placement of the objects in pallet 2 andallow clear yes and no decisions for an arrangement stacked by height ofthe blades in pallet 2.

In this embodiment of the present invention, an opening 15 is positionedin the lowest region of each depression 5, as illustrated in FIG. 2,which allows moisture and condensed water to escape. Even during storageof unequipped pallets 2 outside a manufacturing facility, rainwater maydrain via these openings 15, and therefore depressions 5 may be keptdry. On the other hand, it is possible to introduce a flush gas flowthrough the depressions via depressions 5, which frees the objects to bestored from contamination. For pallets 2, which are to keep the objectsto be stored in an inert gas atmosphere or under vacuum, opening 15 maybe used for evacuation or even for filling with inert gas. If, however,the objects to be stored are packed under vacuum or inert gas, pallets 2of this type have no openings 15 at the lowest point of depression 5.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a section of a pallet 2of the second embodiment of the present invention, equipped with blades9, along sectional line A-A of FIG. 2. The components having identicalfunctions as in the preceding figures are identified using identicalreference numbers and are not explained further.

Sectional line A-A in FIG. 2 is in active blade region 19 of the bladesof an axial-flow fluid machine, which are positioned in depressions 5 ofpallet 2 for sorting, storage, or transport. Drawn walls 14, whichconnect individual pyramid steps 7 and 8, have their largest externaldimension in the region of sealing plates 17 of the blades, whichseparate active blade region 19 from the blade root region (not visiblein FIG. 3), in this embodiment of the present invention. Sealing plate17 is only partially visible in FIG. 3 and therefore its outer edges arepartially shown with dashed lines in FIG. 3. Bearing surfaces 6 aretailored to the spatial edge contours of the active blade region in theregion of blade front edge 10 and blade rear edge 11.

Bearing surface 6 for blade front edge 10 is positioned lower thanbearing surface 6 of blade rear edge 11 in each of the pyramid steps, sothat heavier and more loadable blade front edge 10 rests completely onconformal bearing surface 6, while a recess 25 of bearing surface 6 inthe region of rear edge 11 ensures that rear edge 11 is supported freelysuspended. Top 30 passes into an outer wall 20, which extends spreadingtrapezoidally in cross-section to a pallet base 29 and thus forms asupport frame 21 for pallet 2. Slanted outer wall 20 and depression 5,which is shaped like a stepped pyramid, form a pallet 2 which isstackable with other pallets as long as it is not equipped with objects3.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a section of a pallet 2of the second embodiment of the present invention, equipped with blades9, along sectional line B-B of FIG. 2. The components having identicalfunctions as in the preceding figures are identified using identicalreference numbers and are not explained further.

Sectional line B-B is placed in FIG. 2 in such a way that it cutsthrough vertical grooves 16, so that the trace of active blade region 19on sealing surface 17 is visible and the support of sealing plate 17 invertical grooves 16 and on pyramid steps 7 and 8 is visible. While uppertwo blades 9 of an axial-flow fluid machine form hollow blades, so thata coolant gas may be introduced into the turbine operation via thecavity of the blades, in this embodiment, the two lower pyramid stepsare provided for blades which do not have a cavity. A comparison ofFIGS. 3 and 4 also shows that bearing surfaces 6 in each pyramid stepwhich are tailored to spatial edge contours 4 have a relatively complexdesign, in order to suitably support both sealing plate 17 in itsapproximately rectangular structure and active blade region 19 in itsparticular edge region and to protect them from damage through drawnwalls 14.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a section of a pallet 2of the second embodiment of the present invention, equipped with blades9, along sectional line C-C of FIG. 2. The components having identicalfunctions as in the preceding figures are identified using identicalreference numbers and are not explained further.

Sectional line C-C is placed in FIG. 2 in such a way that across-sectional view in root region 18 of a blade 9 is shown in FIG. 5.Blade roots 12 are supported by bearing surfaces 6 in root region 18 ofeach pyramid step 7 and 8 in such a way that they are aligned nearlyhorizontally. The cross-sectional surface of blade root 12 is smaller inthis case than the cross-sectional surface of sealing plate 17, whoseoutline is therefore partially marked using dashed lines in FIG. 5.Drain opening 15 is consequently in the region of the lowermost sealingplate and therefore simultaneously forms the lowest point of depression5. It is shown, using the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5,that bearing surfaces 6 in each pyramid step 7 and 8 follow a relativelycomplex spatial shape, so that the schematic top view in FIG. 2 onlyrepresents a limited overview, and the tailoring to the spherical edgecontour of the objects to be sorted, stored, and/or transported may notbe reproduced in detail.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a section of a pallet 2of the second embodiment of the present invention, equipped with blades9, along sectional line D-D of FIG. 2. The components having identicalfunctions as in the preceding figures are identified using identicalreference numbers and are not explained further.

Sectional line D-D in FIG. 2 is positioned in such a way that it shows adepression 5 equipped with blades in the direction of the longitudinalaxis of the blades. Bearing surfaces 6 therefore support blade rootregion 18 and active blade region 19 on their respective edges, bladefront edge 10 being positioned lower in each pyramid step than the bladerear edge (not visible in this figure). Simultaneously, the sealingplate of each blade is positioned in vertical grooves 16.

FIG. 6 also shows a cover plate 26, which may cover top 30 of pallet 2,using dot-dash lines. This cover plate 26 has a collar 27 having a ringshoulder 28 in its edge region. This ring shoulder ensures alignment andsealing of cover plate 26 in relation to top 30 of pallet 2. Collar 27of cover plate 26 may be used for the purpose of stacking equippedpallets 2 on one another in such a way that pallet base 29, which iscentered by ring shoulder 28, is supported by collar 27. In this way,not only does cover plate 26 ensure that depressions 5 of pallet 2 arecovered, but it is simultaneously used for the stackability of equippedpallets 2.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross section views of several stacked palletsof FIG. 6.

Fluid as defined herein includes, for example, gas and liquid fluids.Active blade region as define herein is the working section of the bladefor contacting the fluid, for example an airfoil.

List of reference numbers

1 container

2 pallet

3 object

4 edge contour

5 depression

6 bearing surface

7 pyramid step

8 pyramid step positioned above it

9 blade

10 blade front edge

11 blade rear edge

12 blade root

13 Christmas tree profile

14 wall

15 opening

16 vertical grooves

17 sealing plate

18 blade root region

19 active blade region

20 outer wall

21 support frame

22 rows

23 columns

24 outer edge

25 recess

26 cover plate

27 collar

28 ring shoulder

29 pallet base

30 top of the pallet

1-30. (canceled) 31: A method for manufacturing a container forreceiving blades of a fluid machine, the blades having differingexternal dimensions and edge contours, the container comprising asection having at least one depression shaped like a stepped pyramidhaving bearing surfaces and having a lower pyramid step having firstbearing surfaces with smaller dimensions than second bearing surfaces ofa higher pyramid step positioned above the lower pyramid step in thedepression so as to receive multiple blades of different sizes in thedepression stacked by height in accordance with the differing externaldimensions, the pyramid steps having a shape tailored to the edgecontours of said blades, comprising the step of: reverse-drawing a wallof the depression between the lower and higher pyramid steps into aninside of the container. 32: The method as recited in claim 31 whereinthe bearing surfaces include a straight section. 33: The method asrecited in claim 31 wherein the bearing surfaces of the depression arecapable of supporting the blades of different sizes of an axial-flowfluid machine so that a blade front edge is positioned lower than anassociated blade rear edge. 34: The method as recited in claim 31wherein the bearing surfaces include horizontally implemented bearingsurfaces for supporting a blade root of the blades. 35: The method asrecited in claim 31 wherein the bearing surfaces are capable ofsupporting the blades of different sizes of an axial-flow fluid machineso that blade rear edges are supportable freely suspended. 36: Themethod as recited in claim 31 wherein the container is a one-piecedeep-drawn part. 37: The method as recited in claim 31 wherein thecontainer is a one-piece injection molded part. 38: The method asrecited in claim 31 wherein the container has a plastic composition. 39:The method as recited in claim 31 wherein the container has a polymerselected from at least one of the group consisting of polyethylene,polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyimide, and mixturesthereof. 40: The method as recited in claim 31 wherein the container ismanufactured from a deep-drawable plastic slab. 41: The method asrecited in claim 31 wherein the container has an opening in a lowermostregion of the depression. 42: The method as recited in claim 31 whereinthe section includes outer walls enclosing the depression and forming atrapezoidal support frame in cross-section. 43: A method formanufacturing a pallet for receiving blades of a fluid machine havingdiffering external dimensions and edge contours, the pallet comprising asection having depressions shaped like stepped pyramids positioned inrows and columns, each pyramid having bearing surfaces and a lowerpyramid step having first bearing surfaces with smaller dimensions thansecond bearing surfaces of a higher pyramid step positioned above thelower pyramid step so as to receive multiple blades of different sizesin the depressions stacked by height in accordance with the differingexternal dimensions, the pyramid steps having a shape tailored to thespatial edge contours of said blades, comprising the step of:reverse-drawing walls of the depressions between the lower and higherpyramid steps into an inside of the pallet. 44: The method as recited inclaim 43 wherein the bearing surfaces include a straight section. 45:The method as recited in claim 43 wherein the bearing surfaces of thedepressions are capable of supporting the blades of different sizes ofan axial-flow fluid machine in such a way that a blade front edge ispositioned lower than an associated blade rear edge. 46: The method asrecited in claim 43 wherein the bearing surfaces include horizontallyimplemented bearing surfaces for supporting a blade root of the blades.47: The method as recited in claim 43 wherein the bearing surfaces arecapable of supporting the blades of different sizes of an axial-flowfluid machine so that blade rear edges are supportable freely suspended.48: The method as recited in claim 43 wherein the pallet is a one-piecedeep-drawn part. 49: The method as recited in claim 43 wherein thepallet is a one-piece injection molded part. 50: The method as recitedin claim 43 wherein the pallet has a plastic composition. 51: The methodas recited in claim 43 wherein the pallet has a polymer selected from atleast one of the group consisting of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride,polystyrene, polypropylene, polyimide, and mixtures thereof. 52: Themethod as recited in claim 43 wherein the pallet is manufactured from adeep-drawable plastic slab. 53: The method as recited in claim 43wherein the pallet has an opening in a lowermost region of each of thedepressions. 54: The method as recited in claim 43 wherein the pallethas grooves extending vertically from the lower pyramid steps to thehigher pyramid steps, the grooves being tailored to contours of sealingplates between a blade root region and an active blade region of bladesof an axial-flow fluid machine. 55: The method as recited in claim 43wherein the pallet has an outer edge enclosing and supporting thedepressions and forms a trapezoidal support frame in cross-section. 56:The method as recited in claim 43 wherein the pallet has a removablecover plate having a peripheral horizontal collar. 57: The method asrecited in claim 56 wherein the peripheral collar of the cover plate hasa ring shoulder interacting with an outline of a support frame forstacking the pallets.